Volkswagen Golf / GTI Volkswagen Golf / GTI 2012 Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2016

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Volkswagen Golf / GTI (2012) vs. Subaru Forester (2016) Specs

How powerful is the engine? How much room is in the back seat? Get the 2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI and 2016 Subaru Forester specs.

2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI and 2016 Subaru Forester Specifications

Model Year 2012 2016  
Model Volkswagen Golf / GTI Subaru Forester  
Engine turbocharged
2.0L I4
DOHC-4v
256 hp@4300
243 lb-ft@2400
turbocharged
2.0L H4
DOHC-4v
250 hp@5600
258 lb-ft@2000
 
Transmission 6-speed manual 8-speed shiftable CVT  
Drivetrain AWD AWD  
Body 4dr Hatch 4dr SUV  
      Difference
Wheelbase 101.5 in 103.9 in -2.4 in
Length 165.4 in 180.9 in -15.5 in
Width 70.3 in 70.7 in -0.4 in
Height 58.3 in 66.4 in -8.1 in
Curb Weight 3326 lb. 3624 lb. -298 lb.
Fuel Capacity 14.5 gal. 15.9 gal. -1.4 gal.
Headroom, Row 1 39.3 in 41.4 in -2.1 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1 54.7 in 57.0 in -2.3 in
Legroom, Row 1 41.2 in 43.0 in -1.8 in
Headroom, Row 2 38.5 in 39.8 in -1.3 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2 52.8 in 56.5 in -3.7 in
Legroom, Row 2 35.5 in 38.0 in -2.5 in
Total Legroom 76.7 in (over 2 rows) 81 in (over 2 rows) -4.3 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum 15.0 ft3 34.4 ft3 -19.4 ft3
Cargo Volume, Maximum 46.0 ft3 74.7 ft3 -28.7 ft3

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What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2012 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
Four adults can easily and comfortably fit in this car, with plenty of room for luggage. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
2011 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
5-speed manual FWD
Seats actually fit your body and have proper bolstering, unlike most other seats in this price range which are more like shelves for oversized American behinds. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
2011 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed automated manual FWD
Good leg room and supportive seats. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
2011 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed automated manual FWD
Good leg room for a small car. Supportive seats. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
2011 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
I have MS, so comfortable seats are a must. This is the only car that I've been in where I could do a non-stop trip from Michigan to Washington DC in. No fatigue, no stopping for a stretch. It's that good, and VW throws in standard heated seats for the GTI. And they do mean "heated" seats, not "warmed" seats, not "take-the-edge-off" seats. Turn them on full and your bum will be roasting with in a few minutes. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
2011 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed automated manual FWD
Firm, supportive seats. Not too hard. Should be excellent for long road trips. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
2011 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
Firm, yet comfortable. Excellent lateral support in the turns. Excellent thigh support fro taller driver. Can sit for hours and still feel comfortable. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2016 Subaru Forester

2016 Subaru Forester Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2015 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4
CVT AWD
I'm 6'3" and often don't fit comfortable in vehicles. I found this had a very nice amount of front seat room. The center console tends to stay out of the way as well, some newer designs have the center stack moving into where my right knee would be. It's a very noticeable improvement over my previous 2009 Escape. I actually found the Forester more comfortable for me than the Outback. I was expecting the opposite. see full Subaru Forester review
2015 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4
CVT AWD
After looking at Explorer's, I was surprised how much more room the Forester had in the back seat. Granted it doesn't have a third row, but if you don't need a 3rd row, the Forester is hard to beat in this segment for rear seat room. We can put a forward facing child seat in the back, move the front seat up a about 2 inches from all the way back and there's still plenty of front passenger room and my 1.5 year old son can't kick the back of the seat. see full Subaru Forester review
2016 Subaru Forester Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2017 4dr SUV turbocharged 250hp 2.0L H4
8-speed shiftable CVT AWD
- Terrible front seat support - The cushions are too short - It's not noticeable on a test drive right away. I would not have bought the car! Test drive extensively! - Surfaces where your elbows would lay are too hard - I purchased foam pads to make it feel better. - Tall drivers like myself will struggle with the telescoping wheel's short extension range. - It is hard to get into a fully comfortable driving position. The memory seats in the XT help somewhat by retaining your seat settings if moved. - Front seat cushions are too short - Yes I said this twice - Front seat cushions are too short - Yes I said this THREE times! Subaru are you listening? The front seat cushions are WAY TOO SHORT! see full Subaru Forester review
 
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